No congregation at city’s oldest church as tower works underway
The car park behind the state’s oldest surviving church is being transformed into housing towers as parishioners continue to meet elsewhere.
Construction is underway on a $450 million student accommodation tower at 88 North Terrace, with developers claiming it will be among one of Australia’s larger purpose-built student accommodation developments.
The 31-storey project, which includes new public parking and extensive heritage restoration, would be developed by 1835 Property and Marlborough Capital, built by Synergy Construct and operated by UniLodge.
Expected to open in mid-2028, the development will transform the ground floor car park behind Trinity Church — Adelaide’s first church, opened in 1838 — into a landmark student residence with 979 beds.
The church was closed in May, and parishioners have been meeting instead for morning gatherings at Adelaide University, while evening gatherings are meeting at a ministry centre east of the church site.
The project marks the first time the heritage-listed Trinity Church precinct has been fully vacated since 1838.
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As part of the project, Trinity Church, the Parish Hall and Delbridge House will undergo comprehensive heritage restoration, with a new church administration building and public piazza to be built.
“We see this partnership to develop our site as a wonderful opportunity to enhance our ministry to the people of the City of Adelaide,” Trinity Church Adelaide senior pastor Paul Harrington said.
“This development will place us at the heart of a vibrant city precinct,” he said.
More than 95 per cent of the accommodation rooms will be private studios, each with an ensuite and queen-size bed.
The design is based on what operators say international students want from purpose-built housing: privacy, a proper bed and their own bathroom.
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Students will also have access to a range of amenities, including a cinema, 24/7 gym, yoga studio, music and media room, study lounges, café, communal kitchens, an outdoor deck overlooking the church buildings with barbecue facilities, a pickleball court and a moonlight cinema.
The project also includes 129 publicly accessible car parking spaces.
1835 Property managing director Jason Di Iulio said the 88 North Terrace development would meet international student demand in the heart of the CBD, including those studying medicine, health and life sciences across Adelaide’s major university campuses.
“With Adelaide University climbing the global rankings, Flinders University expanding its city campus, and strong ongoing demand from international students, the need for high-quality, purpose-built accommodation right next to the campuses has never been clearer,” Di Iulio said.
“It will deliver outstanding student living while carefully restoring one of the city’s most important heritage precincts and helping to ease pressure on the private rental market.”
The development is expected to move about 1000 students out of general housing and create more than 350 direct and indirect jobs during construction.
“High-quality student accommodation is critical to creating a positive experience for international students and helping Adelaide remain competitive as a global study destination,” StudyAdelaide chief executive Jane Johnston said.
Johnston said developments such as 88 North Terrace would strengthen Adelaide’s appeal by giving students more choice and greater confidence when planning their move to Australia, while providing facilities designed to support their academic success and wellbeing.
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